Insomnia not only affects our mental state but may also impact our physical health. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, insomnia can be related to various factors such as excessive heart fire and restless spirit. In this episode, we delve into TCM’s syndrome differentiation and treatment of insomnia, guiding you on how to regain a restful night’s sleep through TCM therapies.

Dr. Li Yiqi, Associate Professor, and Master’s Supervisor at the National Medical Hall of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Current Topic: Syndrome differentiation and treatment of insomnia  in Traditional Chinese Medicine

 

 

How does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) view the causes of insomnia?

 

The Theory of Yin-Yang Balance: TCM posits that the primary cause of insomnia is an imbalance of yin and yang. When the yin-yang equilibrium within the body is disrupted, such as an excess of yang energy or a deficiency of yin energy, it can lead to insomnia. Specifically, if the yang energy from daytime cannot successfully transition into yin energy, it results in an inability to calm the mind at night, thereby causing sleeplessness.

 

Dysfunction of Zang-Fu Organs: TCM associates insomnia with the dysfunction of the zang-fu organs. Specifically, imbalances such as excessive heart fire, liver fire disturbance, and spleen-stomach weakness can all be triggers for insomnia. For instance, the non-interaction of the heart and kidney (xin shen bu jiao) refers to a condition where the heart yang fails to support the kidney yang in warming the kidney yin, leading to a deficiency of kidney yin which cannot nourish the heart yin. This results in disquieted heart spirit and insomnia.

 

Disquieted Heart Spirit and Emotional Factors: Emotional fluctuations, inner restlessness, and a cluttered mind are considered by TCM to be significant causes of insomnia. These emotional factors disturb the mind, causing either heart spirit deprived of nourishment or disquieted heart spirit, thereby affecting sleep.

 

Deficiency of Qi and Blood: TCM believes that a deficiency of qi and blood can also lead to insomnia. Qi deficiency weakens functions such as promotion, warming, and defense, while blood deficiency fails to adequately nourish the zang-fu organs and meridians. These deficiencies lead to a decline in bodily functions, affecting the stability of the mind and resulting in sleeplessness.

 

Pathogenic Factors and External Influences: TCM also posits that external pathogenic factors, such as wind, cold, heat, and dampness, can cause insomnia. These external factors interfere with the body's normal physiological functions, thereby affecting sleep.

 

What are the commonly used methods of TCM to treat insomnia?

 

TCM conditioning:

Based on the specific condition of the patient, TCM selects Chinese herbs that have spirit-quieting, heart-nourishing, qi and blood-boosting, and yin-yang balancing effects for treatment.

 

Commonly used herbs include Morinda root (Ba Ji Tian), Polygala root (Yuan Zhi), Spine Date Seed (Suan Zao Ren), and Goji berries (Gou Qi Zi). These herbs help to quiet the spirit, nourish the heart, and improve sleep quality.

 

Acupuncture Treatment:

Acupuncture can treat insomnia by regulating qi and blood, balancing yin and yang, and adjusting the functions of the zang-fu organs.

 

Common acupuncture points include Shenmen (HT7), Fengchi (GB20), Xinshu (BL15), Neiguan (PC6), and Shenque (CV8). These acupoints are closely related to calming the mind and regulating sleep.

 

Tui Na Massage:

Chinese Tui Na massage can help improve sleep quality in insomnia patients by massaging various acupoints on the body, such as Taiyang (GB20) and Baihui (GV20), to promote qi and blood circulation, regulate the functions of the zang-fu organs, and alleviate insomnia symptoms.

 

Moxibustion Therapy:

Moxibustion can improve insomnia symptoms by stimulating acupoints and meridians, regulating qi and blood, and balancing yin and yang.

 

Commonly used moxibustion points include Shenmen (HT7), Xinshu (BL15), Zusanli (ST36), and Taichong (LR3). These points are associated with sleep in TCM theory.

 

Dietary Adjustment:

TCM believes that insomnia is related to disharmony of the spleen and stomach and stagnation of liver qi, among other factors. Therefore, adjusting the diet can help treat insomnia.

 

Patients are advised to moderately increase the intake of foods that boost qi, nourish the blood,clear heat and quiet the spirit, such as goji berry and red date tea, and Moslae Herba and Ophiopogon decoction. These foods help alleviate insomnia symptoms.

 

Other TCM Therapies:

Additional TCM therapies, such as acupoint application, intradermal needle therapy, and auricular acupressure therapy, can also be used as auxiliary treatments to improve insomnia symptoms.

 

What classic traditional Chinese medicine formulas can be used to treat insomnia?

 

Suan Zao Ren Tang: Composed of Suan Zao Ren, licorice, Anemarrhena, Poria, and Ligusticum chuanxiong. This formula is primarily used to treat insomnia caused by liver blood deficiency and internal disturbance of deficiency heat.

 

Huang Lian E Jiao Tang: Contains Coptis, donkey-hide gelatin, Scutellaria, white peony root, and egg yolk. It is suitable for treating insomnia resulting from disharmony between the heart and kidney, yin deficiency, and excessive fire.

 

Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan: Made up of ginseng, Scrophularia, Salvia, Poria, Schisandra, Polygala, and Platycodon. This formula is mainly used to treat heart yin deficiency, palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, and excessive dreaming.

 

Zhu Sha An Shen Wan: Contains cinnabar, Coptis, Rehmannia, angelica, and licorice. It is suitable for insomnia caused by excessive heart fire and yin and blood deficiency.

 

An Shen Ding Zhi Wan: Composed of ginseng, Polygala, Acorus tatarinowii, and dragon tooth. It can settle fright, quiet the spirit, benefit qi, and nourish the heart, suitable for symptoms such as disquieted heart spirit and insomnia with excessive dreaming.

 

Shi Quan Da Bu Wan: Although not specifically for insomnia, its functions of tonifying qi and blood and boosting essence and replenishing the marrow can help improve insomnia symptoms caused by qi and blood deficiency.

 

Xiao Yao San: Consists of Bupleurum, angelica, and white peony root. It can course the liver and resolve depression, suitable for insomnia caused by liver depression and qi stagnation.

 

Gui Pi Wan: Composed of Codonopsis, Atractylodes, Root Poria, honey-fried licorice, etc. It can treat insomnia of the heart and spleen deficiency type, such as insomnia with excessive dreaming and difficulty falling back asleep after waking.

 

Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan: Contains astragalus, cooked Rehmannia, goji berries, and other nourishing ingredients. It is suitable for those who become more sleepless the more tired they are.

 

Please note that these formulas are not suitable for all types of insomnia, and their specific use should be adjusted according to the patient's symptoms and constitution. Therefore, it is recommended to undergo syndrome differentiation and treatment under the guidance of a professional traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to achieve the best therapeutic effect. Additionally, when taking Chinese medicine, it is imperative to follow medical advice and pay attention to the dosage and method of use.

 

Disclaimer

 

This article aims to provide health education, helping everyone understand diseases and medications. However, the educational content cannot replace medical advice from a doctor and is for reference purposes only. If you have any relevant health issues, please consult a physician promptly.

 

 

Introduction of the Doctor

 

 

Li Yiqi

 

Doctor of Medicine, Associate Professor, Master’s Supervisor, inheritor of the TCM academic thought of Professor He Yumin of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Member of the Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Branch of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Member of the TCM Constitution Branch of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Member of the Mental Diseases Branch of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Standing Committee Member of the TCM Preventive Treatment Branch of the Fujian Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Standing Committee Member of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Classics Branch of Fujian Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Specializes in clinical diagnosis and treatment of internal medicine, gynecology, and various difficult and complicated diseases. Expert in treating insomnia, dizziness, headaches, asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety, depression, rhinitis, persistent cough, anorexia, diarrhea, deficiency-taxation night sweating, constipation, mouth ulcers, menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, vaginal discharge, infertility, sterility, thyroid diseases, endocrine disorders, and health conditioning of various tumors. 

 

This article is reprinted from Fujian News Radio.